PRIME
MINISTER - POLITY
News:
Don't insult
constitutional functionaries like PM: Court
What's
in the news?
● Karnataka
High Court has noted that it was undesirable for constitutional officials such
as the Prime Minister to be insulted during quashing sedition charges.
Prime
Minister:
● Head
of the government in the parliamentary system of governance.
Constitutional
Provisions:
Appointment:
● Article 75
of the Indian Constitution mentions that a Prime Minister is one who is
appointed by the President.
● As
a convention, the leader of the largest party in the parliament becomes the
prime minister.
Council
of Ministers:
● Article 74 (1)
states that there shall be a Council of Ministers with a Prime Minister at the
head to aid and advise the President.
Responsible
to the Lok Sabha:
● The
Prime Minister can be removed from office by a vote of no confidence passed by a majority of the members of the
Lok Sabha, or if he resigns from office.
(Article 75(2)).
Pleasure
of the President:
● Prime
Minister and other ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President
but must have the support of a majority
of the Lok Sabha.
● It
used to remove the other ministers on the advice of the Prime minister. (Article 75(3)).
Qualification:
● Must
be a citizen of India and a member
of either the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha.
● A
person who is not a member of Parliament can sometimes be appointed as a
Minister. However, within six months
of being appointed as Minister, such a person must be elected to one of the
Houses of Parliament.
Power
and Function of Prime Minister:
Executive:
● The
Prime Minister is the head of the Union
Council of Ministers and is responsible for the administration of the
government.
● He
presides over cabinet meetings and
coordinates the activities of the various ministries and departments.
With
respect to Legislature:
● The
Prime Minister is a member of the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha and can
participate in the proceedings of either house.
● He
advises the President on the summoning and prorogation of the parliament
sessions and dissolution of Lok Sabha.
Diplomatic
powers:
● The
Prime Minister represents India in the international arena and conducts
negotiations with foreign countries.
● He
also receives foreign diplomats and dignitaries on behalf of the President.
Financial
powers:
● The
Prime Minister is responsible for the overall economic and financial management
of the country.
● His/her
government presents the annual budget to the parliament and ensures it is
passed.
Appointment
powers:
● The
Prime Minister (and the Council of Ministers) advises the President with
respect to the appointments to the higher judiciary and key administrative
posts such as the Governors.